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“What once was known instinctively to humanity lives on in signs and symbols, even when the original knowledge has faded from consciousness.” —study from Signs & Symbols of the Christmas Festival The Winter Hare
He runs the spiral round and wide, To chase the dark and catch the light, Then calls the dawn back into sight.
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“What once was known instinctively to humanity lives on in signs and symbols, even when the original knowledge has faded from consciousness.” —study from Signs & Symbols of the Christmas Festival The Winter Goose
She flies where winter winds grow deep, With stars above and souls asleep, And carries dreams the night will keep. “What once was known instinctively to humanity lives on in signs and symbols, even when the original knowledge has faded from consciousness.” —study from Signs & Symbols of the Christmas Festival Old Mother Frost's Verse
She spins the thread of winter’s breath, She weaves a blanket for all to rest-- And tucks the world in silken dress. To understand the festivals rightly, we must learn again to read the language of symbols, for in them the soul of humanity speaks. —study from Signs & Symbols of the Christmas Festival In the old North, the Twelve Days of Christmas are days steeped in story and starlight. These were days of watchfulness and wonder. They breathed through frost-laced stillness and fire-warmed memories.
When we look deeply into the festivals of different peoples, we find that beneath the diversity of customs there lives a common spiritual wisdom. —study from Signs & Symbols of the Christmas Festival As the winter wraps the world in silence, a golden light appears worn upon the crown of a maiden who walks before the dawn. Santa Lucia's Day is celebrated on December 13th and marks the arrival of the maiden of light, dressed in white and crowned with glowing candles.
In the depths of winter, when the outer world sleeps, the human soul is called to awaken the light within. —study from Festivals and Their Meaning
After the four lights of Advent have been kindled, the Advent spiral is presented. And it is the four weeks of advent that have prepared us for this spiraling moment. Each week was a step towards something deeper—the journey inward. In this turning, the outer lights of the world become the inner light of the heart. It is the spiral that gathers everything that has come before and transforms it into an experience of becoming. What was form now begins to live as spirit. And one by one, we enter it until we meet the inner flame, and then carry it back out into the world again—drawing spirit into matter, and matter back toward spirit. To understand the festivals rightly, we must learn again to read the language of symbols, for in them the soul of humanity speaks. —study from Signs & Symbols of the Christmas Festival Quintessence / Humankind The fourth light of advent, is the light of man-- born with great love, that we seeks to understand The fourth candle shines for the human being. In its glow, we sense a mystery awakening within us. The firmness of the minerals becomes the structure of our bones. The growth of the plants breathes in our life rhythms. The instincts of the beasts awaken our own inner life of soul. And yet, within this woven harmony of creation, a light arises that belongs to no other kingdom. The element of fire dances here—it illuminates and gives itself away through warmth. In this fire lives the mystery of consciousness itself—light becomes love, warmth becomes will, and the flame becomes aware of its own burning.
To understand the festivals rightly, we must learn again to read the language of symbols, for in them the soul of humanity speaks. —study from Signs & Symbols of the Christmas Festival Fauna / Animal Kingdom The third light of advent is the light of beasts-- living in all creatures, the greatest and the least. The third candle flickers for the animals, and suddenly movement and warmth stir in the room—like the song of a bird on a cold morning. The creatures carry the gift of soul into the world, expressing its qualities in gentleness and courage displayed in endless variety. The realm of beasts gives form to impulse and brings sensation to life through movement. Through their restless motion, the soul of the world awakens; feeling takes form, and the unseen begins to move. The element of air breathes here—quick and lively—giving wings to imagination and strength to the will.
To understand the festivals rightly, we must learn again to read the language of symbols, for in them the soul of humanity speaks. —study from Signs & Symbols of the Christmas Festival Flora / Plant Kingdom The second light of advent lives in the light of plants-- that reach up to the sun, and in the breezes dance. The second candle glimmers for plants, and suddenly the room feels green and alive. In every pine needle and holly sprig there is a picture of hope: a life that reaches towards the light. It is the plant realm that reminds us of the mystery of becoming—of how growth never rushes but unfolds in faith. As each stem bends between earth and sky, we begin to understand that all true growth begins in surrender and ends in light. The element of water flows here, carrying renewal and the pulse of life that awakens in all growing things. This element draws roots deep and leaves high.
To understand the festivals rightly, we must learn again to read the language of symbols, for in them the soul of humanity speaks. —study from Signs & Symbols of the Christmas Festival Stones / Mineral Kingdom The first light of advent is the light of stones-- the light that lives in crystals, seashells, and bones. The first candle glows for the stones, and suddenly the whole world feels steady beneath our feet. In this realm of crystals, shells, and bones, we are reminded of the firm foundation and lawfulness on which everything stands. This earth element calls us to steadiness, to grounding, and to the joy of simply existing. In their weight we sense our own need for rest and for roots that hold us steady amid the turning world. They show us a world before motion. Yet, like a chorus, these minerals hum with strength and endurance. They sing, “You can build here.”
Advent is a time of quiet preparation, when light is kindled in the darkness and the soul begins to awaken to the mystery of becoming. —study from Christmas Thought and the Mystery of the Ego
In Advent, we move step by step from the nature of the earth—toward the nature of the human being. Each Sunday, as another candle is lit we honor the living order of the world: from the firmness of minerals, to the greening of plants, to the warmth of beasts, and finally to the self-consciousness of the human being. To honor these lights is to remember our place in the Great Mystery and to kindle gratitude for the foundation upon which life is built. The teacher must so work upon themself, becoming transparent to the truths they wish to convey. —study from Practical Advice to Teachers
When I first heard of Waldorf education, I expected to find a detailed curriculum—a collection of ideas, already thought up. Instead, I found something far deeper: a way of seeing the world with new eyes. It's here that I realized that this education does not ask us to fill the child with knowledge or even perform grand lessons as actors upon a stage. This education asks us to be authentic, and an artist of life itself. The teacher must not stand before the children as a self-important personality, but as one who is striving. —study from The Study of Man
These words felt piercing at first. For in a world that glorifies visibility, Steiner's guidance feels almost radical: the true teacher must become transparent, only a vessel for what is living and true. The teacher’s work is not a grand performance, it is the subtle and transparent presence guiding the child. —study from The Study of Man
When we first hear that the young child learns through imitation, we might fantasize that our task as teachers is to become performers—to demonstrate and dramatize life before them. But that is not what Steiner meant. The child's imitation is not a passive reflection of the dramatization they see and hear, but an active participation in what they know naturally around them. This means that the teacher is not the center of the lesson—the natural world is. The teacher only stands beside each individual child—rather than in front or even above. The task of the educator is not to force the child into instruction, but to provide the conditions in which play can unfold freely. —study from The Kingdom of Childhood
When we watch children at play, it may look like simple amusement. A wood block becomes a tower, a cloth becomes a cape, or a doll becomes a friend. Yet Steiner remind us that play is not a distraction from learning—it is the child's truest work. The young child is a being of imitation. Whatever lives around them enters into their whole being. —study from The Education of the Child
When we place a puppet into a child's hands, something magical happens. It becomes vessel of imagination as the child lends it movement and voice. Through play, the child begins to imitate life as they see it and feel it. In this way, the child is rehearsing life itself in their own symbolic form. Fantasy is arbitrary invention. Imagination is perception of a higher reality. —study from The Stages of Higher Knowledge
These words stayed with me long after I closed the book. I realized how easily we confuse fantasy and imagination. In our culture, we often use fantasy and imagination as if they mean the same thing. But they are quite different—so different that one can lead us away from the truth while the other can lead us towards it. Our lessons must be permeated with life; if they are to awaken life within the child. —study from The Study of Man
When I first heard the phrase "living lesson", I thought it meant teaching through imagination—with stories, songs, and beauty. And while that is true, I have since learned this is only the surface of something much deeper. A living lesson means to guide real life experiences that awaken the inner life within the child's whole being—body, soul, and spirit. This is an art and it means more than just adding creativity to the lesson. In all manual work there is a moral element. The child must learn to make what is useful, and at the same time beautiful, so that skill and joy may grow together. —study from Practical Advice to Teachers
With these words, Steiner reminds us that the handcraft is much more than making something and more about forming the human being from the inside out. The true purpose of handcraft lies in the process (not the final product). In this process the child's will is shaped and patience is practiced until, at last, effort itself becomes a joy that awakens the soul to the dignity of creating The human being is born with forces that are first needed to shape the body. Later, these same forces are freed, and can be used into the soul. —study from The Soul Economy
It's here that I first began to understand early childhood in a new way. The energy that builds little bones, teeth, and organs in the early years does not disappear when its work is finished. It is released—lifted from the hidden work of shaping the body into the work of shaping the soul. These are the same forces that later become imagination, memory, creativity, and the power to will. |
Ms AmberFocused on Rudolf Steiner's original works. This blog offers reflections and commentary to help keep his work alive in the world today. This journal is more about meaning, rather than methods—a space for study that breathes. New Book
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Int. Association of Steiner/Waldorf WECAN Waldorf Early Childhood Association AWANSA Association of Waldorf Schools Anthroposophy Society Anthroposophy Society in America Goetheanum Worldwide become a member (or open a society) Fellowship Community human-centered elderly care Camphill Academy explore community living Camphill Association learn more about lifesharing Heartbeat Lifesharing multicultural community The Youth Section anthroposophy for young people Wilderness Awareness outdoor mentorship program WWOOF - Communities live & learn on organic farms Apprenticeship/Internship biodynamic training and learning Permaculture Directory find organic farm opportunities Michael Field Agricultural research, policy, and education School of Spiritual Science join a local group (in North America) LifeWays early childhood education (for parents) The Child is the Curriculum online Steiner forums & community Waldorf Essentials a homeschool support services Seasons of Seven a virtual Waldorf school Live Education live curriculum & pedagogical support BeEarth Institute children's curriculum & adult education Waldorfee upper grades (5th - 8th) Waldorfish art lessons from Grade 1 - Grade 12 Lavendar's Blues early childhood curriculum guides Waldorf Ways Podcast journal of a qualified Waldorf teacher The Parenting Passageway human development articles The Art of Homeschooling a Waldorf-inspired podcast series Center for Biography illuminating mysteries of human life Sparkle Stories original audio tales for children Twelve Little Tales storytelling subscription service Steiner School of Speech bring your speech to life WAPASA World Association of Puppetry Juniper Tree Puppets professional puppet courses String and Shadow puppet community in Washington In the Heart of the Beast puppet community in Minnesota Paperhand Puppets puppet community in North Carolina StoneLion Puppet Theater puppet community in Missouri Bread & Puppet Theater puppet community in New York Redwing Blackbird Theater puppet community in New York Cattywampus puppet community in Tennessee Fiber Craft Studio threefold educational center Waldorf Handwork Educators professional development courses Toy Making Magic handcraft tutorials & workshops A Child's Dream handwork and craft supplies Acorn & Twigs fiber art supplies and tutorials Weir Craft supplies for dolls & felt toy making Almut Woolard online woodcraft courses Casey's Wood Products made in USA (woodmill products) ATHENA Association of Therapeutic Eurythmy Eurythmy Spring Valley a place to study eurythmics Bothmar Movement International Worldwide Association of Movement Waldorf Music Education supporting anthroposophical impulses Singing Games for Children traditional songs - around the world Beth's Notes music education song & services Kitchen Dyeworks custom handmade play silks Dharma Trading silk dyes and textile supplies Center for Anthroposophy Waldorf teacher training and research Sophia Institute online Waldorf teacher certification Waldorf Teacher Institute continuing education for teachers Waldorf Publications Rudolf Steiner research institute Waldorf Library browse online books and journals Rudolf Steiner Audio free Steiner audio book archive Rudolf Steiner Press Audio free Steiner audio books (on Youtube) Steiner Books by Anthroposophic Press, Inc The Christain Community open a path to the living Gateways Periodical subscribe to Waldorf newsletter Being Human Magazine by researchers, teachers & artist Root and Star Magazine a magazine for the whole child A Year and Day Magazine seasonal quarterly magazine Yesterdays' Classics a classical literature collection Herbal Rootz Magazine kid-friendly herbal learning Learning Herbs herbal books, games, videos, & podcasts The Essential Herbal for herbalist and foragers Earth Pathways Diary an eco diary and calendar Biodynamic Association principles & practices in farming Demeter Association biodynamic farming & gadening Steiner Health providing alternative medicine Anthroposophic Health Association find a practitioner PAAM Physician's Association for Anthroposophical Medicine IVVA International Federation of Anthroposophical Medical Association for Anthroposophy Psyc find a practitioner Tanglewood Hollow nature study curriculum & supplies Imagine Childhood outdoor play and nature study supplies Paper Scissors Stone Waldorf art & school supplies Palumba heirloom quality hardwood furniture Waldorf Supplies Waldorf school supplies Waldorf Shop traditional Waldorf school supplies Ventry Toy handcrafted classical storybook toys 
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